Need help for BEST setup for 72x24x24" (180G)!!!

[mcegelsk]

I'm currently doing research and preps for my 180G. Currently what I have is a tank I used for a few years with FW (Sat now for 3 yrs empty) but have gotten into SW and need to outfit it with the works. The goal of the tank will be reef, including a clam sometime (would like to plan lighting for this) Including the following:

-Full Lighting setup (I know very little, also best resource?)
-Sump Size/Setup
-Pumps (number/size)
-Skimmer
-I think I need to build in overflows since there are none in the tank and possibly drill the tank (Anyone have a similar arrangement?)
-RO/DI
-Wavemakers
-All the awesome stuff that makes the coolest tanks that I don't even know about yet (like the VorTech propeller pump)

I am looking for THE BEST stuff so hit me up with your best suggestions (Links and Pics are greatly appreciated!) Thanks for your help! ~Matt

 

[mcegelsk]

Can used tanks be flame polished to round the edges and surface polished? Are there any professionals that do this?

 

[mcegelsk]

Does anyone have a 180G setup with 2" bulkheads? How large are the overflow boxes? Please Help.

 

[Detritivore]

if you dont mind telling us, what is your budget? when you say the best stuff, it is usually expensive.

the best piece of advice someone could give you right now is to keep reading and researching. there is a wealth of information on here and other websites.

HTH

 

[mcegelsk]

Detritivore-

Thanks for the reply. I am definately reading...tons...and as far as my price range how about $5000-$10000 (remember I already have the tank).

So far what I have read and put together is this list (and I want to add much more for the most possibilities, everyone please help!):

Base Rock:
www.reeferrocks.com


Skimmers:
Deltec's
www.euro-reef.com


Pumps:
Internal- Vortech Propeller pumps
External-?

Wave:
oceans motions 8Way
SCWD Wavemaker

Heater:

Chiller:

Controller:

Lighting:

Valves:
Savko sells George Fisher true union ball valves

Bulkheads:
Hayward BH usplastic.com - hayward
Savko

 

[nikonosis]

Base Rock:
www.reeferrocks.com
www.hirocks.com


Skimmers:
www.finsreef.com (h&s)
Deltec's
www.euro-reef.com
www.asmskimmer.com


Pumps:
Internal- Vortech Propeller pumps or any mag/eheim pump
External-panworld or sequence

Wave:
oceans motions 8Way
SCWD Wavemaker

Heater:
2-250W Pro-Heat Titanium Heater

Chiller:
maybe none, depends on your setup

Controller:
Neptune Systems Aquarium Controller & Monitor

Lighting:
3-250w metal halides
maybe 2-vho for acintic

Valves:
Savko sells George Fisher true union ball valves

Bulkheads:
Hayward BH usplastic.com - hayward
Savko

 

[asnatlas]

For my 600gal (96x48x30) I went with the following :

Base Rock:
www.reeferrocks.com

Skimmer:

BK400 EXT

 

[asnatlas]

Pumps:
Internal- 6x Tunzes (2x6200s and 4x6100s)

External- Seq Dart for my return.

Wave:
Aquarium Specialty

I am thinking about 2x WavySea with 2x 6100s attached to them if it will work...

 

[asnatlas]

Heater:
Premium Aquatics

4x 500w Finnex (2 on Aquatronica Controller and 2x on Medusa COntroller for backup)

Chiller:
Planning on not needing one since my system will be in the basement and I will be running the following :

 

[asnatlas]

Controller:
Aquatronica

Lighting:
reefgeek

4x 250w in Lumenarc III's along with 8x T5's on IceCap ballests.

Bulkheads / Valves / Fittings :
Savko

 

[mcegelsk]

asnatlas-

Sweet! This is the kinda things that I'm looking for! I think your input is excellent...I'll add it all to my overall list! Thanks! ~Matt

 

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6730545#post6730545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcegelsk
asnatlas-

Sweet! This is the kinda things that I'm looking for! I think your input is excellent...I'll add it all to my overall list! Thanks! ~Matt

What are you using for a sump?

 

[gobygoby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6719473#post6719473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcegelsk
Can used tanks be flame polished to round the edges and surface polished? Are there any professionals that do this?

I assume this is an acrylic tank? yes they can be flame polished....but it weakens the acrylic and the bond. can also cause crazing( little tiny cracks)...so beware!

try and use aceteline if possible. You can use butane..but you risk burning it more easily with butane.

 

[mcegelsk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6731866#post6731866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gobygoby
I assume this is an acrylic tank? yes they can be flame polished....but it weakens the acrylic and the bond. can also cause crazing( little tiny cracks)...so beware!

try and use aceteline if possible. You can use butane..but you risk burning it more easily with butane.

gobygoby-

Thanks for the info. Do you know of anyone that does it professionally to used tanks?

 

[mcegelsk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6731834#post6731834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
What are you using for a sump?

nikonosis-

I'm not sure, what size does everyone recommend? I was thinking about a 50 GAL. Other ideas?

 

[gobygoby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6733405#post6733405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcegelsk
gobygoby-

Thanks for the info. Do you know of anyone that does it professionally to used tanks?

Not that I am aware. If yo do find someone, they will probably give you the old "we will do it, but wont garuntee it."

Flame polishing probably wont hurt, I just wanted you to be aware of the risks. and as for a seam springing a leak....it can all be attributed to how well the tank was built, during periods of moving was the tank "thrown around" meaning handled sloppy to bump into things? and are the seams already crazed?

I would be more leary to polish the seamed edges then any small scratches. those would be less likely to have any effect on the structal integrity of the tank.

hth
Goby

 

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6733414#post6733414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcegelsk
nikonosis-

I'm not sure, what size does everyone recommend? I was thinking about a 50 GAL. Other ideas?

im using a standard 65gallon all glass tank as my sump.

 

[llewoh05]

taggin along. starting my 180gal. in 5 months.

love the info so far.

mcegelsk, when you start building please post pics.

 

[mcegelsk]

llewoh05-

No problem. I'm definitely getting ready to do some serious documenting. I just ordered a new digital camera 6MP Sony DSC T9. Got it for a song and will really make for wonderful pics over my old 2MP camera. Thanks for coming along for the ride. And I hope you let me know if you find some great stuff! ~Matt

 

[mcegelsk]

bump for more info.